Friday, February 13, 2009

NY Daily News on Corrupt and Rotten Big Apple

Former Senate Republican majority committed wild abuses of power
A New York Daily News EDITORIAL - February 13, 2009

Exhibit No. 1 validating the Legislature's title as America's worst: the gross excesses committed by the Senate's former Republican majority.

It has become a commonplace that New York's Legislature is the worst in the country. Evidence emerges daily of how low and irresponsible the capital is. We offer fresh examples. Exhibit No. 1 validating the Legislature's title as America's worst: the gross excesses committed by the Senate's former Republican majority.

Inspecting the Senate's $100 million budget, newly empowered Democrats have uncovered the details of how former GOP leader Joe Bruno and his crew operated the chamber as a taxpayer-financed clubhouse. Shamed out of using state helicopters for political travel, Bruno treated himself to a $50,000 van with leather-upholstered captain chairs. His Republicans operated a $3 million-a-year print shop with 60 employees who cranked out four-color promotional publications for Republicans and one-color flyers for Dems. 

The GOP also had a TV studio where only Republicans could record propaganda for cable broadcast at public expense. They also operated a $2 million "research service" that worked hand-in-glove with the GOP campaign team. The Republicans even glommed parking spaces, allotting Democrats only 125 spots while hoarding 712 for themselves. Senate Democrats have ordered a full audit, and Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has promised reforms. We'll believe it when we see it. As for why we are skeptical, read on.

Senate Democrats stage contemptible confirmation hearing for state's chief judge

Exhibit No. 2 validating the Legislature's title as America's worst: the state Senate hearing and vote to confirm a new chief judge for New York's highest court.

Gov. Paterson last month nominated Appellate Division Presiding Justice Jonathan Lippman to fill the lead post on the Court of Appeals. Under the state Constitution, such an appointment required Senate approval - just as the U.S. Senate passes judgment on the qualifications of nominees to America's Supreme Court.

In Washington, they take this duty seriously. Senators pore over a candidate's record and subject the individual to intense questioning. That's not what happened in Albany. There, the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Brooklyn Sen. John Sampson, held a hearing that was both clownish and racially offensive. In a session that lasted all of two hours, not one senator queried Lippman on judicial philosophy, specific decisions or policies he might adopt as top court administrator. Instead, senators railed about supposed racial and gender discrimination by a panel that considered the qualifications of potential nominees. Bronx Sen. Ruben Diaz: "There will come a time when we minority legislators stand up and say, 'No more, master!'"

Sen. Eric Adams of Brooklyn said the judicial system finds blacks qualified to be handcuffed and sent to prison but unqualified to be judges. Never mind that for years there has been a black judge on the Court of Appeals. There is one Hispanic. Until last month, women were a majority of four. The contemptible proceedings were capped by a walkout from the Senate floor by Diaz, Bronx Sen. Pedro Espada and Queens Sen. Hiram Monserrate. In the end, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm Lippman (in the absurdity of Albany world, the three who walked out were counted as yes votes). But the body, under the control of Democrats for the first time in 44 years, did nothing to illuminate why he is fit for office. Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's troops showed only that they can conduct an undignified racial circus.

8 comments:

  1. We requested a transcript of the hearing, but there was no RECORD MADE, that is available to the public.

    I was there.

    The Daily News article talks about the ridiculous "racial quota" non-issue, but doesn't address the fact that Elena Sassower and I cited criminal and unethical acts by Lippman. and that there were NO QUESTIONS ASKED OR EVIDENCE REQUESTED by a single Senator, that Lippman ignored our allegations, and that the "full" senate (22 out of 65) was never briefed by the Judicial Committee on the opposing testimony.

    The non-committee senators voted in blissful ignorance of the fact that there are 7 federal lawsuits and at least 2 CJC complaints pending against Lippman.

    Frank, if I write an account of what really happened, will you publish it here? I now you are busy, but you haven't answered my emails or phone calls for a few months.

    We have to work together here.

    Will

    ReplyDelete
  2. Will Galison said...


    I was there.

    The Daily News article talks about the ridiculous "racial quota" non-issue, but doesn't address the fact that Elena Sassower and I cited criminal and unethical acts by Lippman. and that there were NO QUESTIONS ASKED OR EVIDENCE REQUESTED by a single Senator, that Lippman ignored our allegations, and that the "full" senate (22 out of 65) was never briefed by the Judicial Committee on the opposing testimony.

    The non-committee senators voted in blissful ignorance of the fact that there are 7 federal lawsuits and at least 2 CJC complaints pending against Lippman.

    We requested a transcript of the hearing, but there was no RECORD MADE, that is available to the public.

    Frank, if I write an account of what really happened, will you publish it here? I now you are busy, but you haven't answered my emails or phone calls for a few months.

    We have to work together here.

    Will

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Daily News could have surely done a few stories BEFORE the hearings. They can kiss my rump for Monday Morning Quarterbacking. Shame on them, buy the Post.

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  4. All the papers, including the NY Post, have been negligent in giving the public the stories of the ongoing corruption in the courts.

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  5. A Pox on both parties. Our problem is the media puts their tail between their legs when it comes to judicial corruption To get a perspective see www.banned-in-america.net/index.html But it isn't only Bush; it's Clinton also. The media has no courage, no honor and the NY Senators - no cojones. They sell out their brothers for the scraps from Silver's platter.

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  6. Those who control the media, control everything.

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  7. http://www.valawyersweekly.com/vlwblog/2008/12/11/legislators-court-cant-tell-us-what-to-do-on-judge-evaluations/#comment-6657

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  8. CRIMINAL JUDICAL USURPATIONS, MONEY LAUNDERING AND CHILDREN PEDOPHILLIA CRIMES SILENCED BY SICK JUDICIAL TRESPASSERS! READ!

    PLEASE READ AND FORWARD ACROSS THE NATION
    Click here: COVER LETTER TO MINISTERS, SE...

    COVER LETTER:
    http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dgfd2t36_158grg7j9fg

    THE CRIMINAL REPORT IS BELOW. THE COVER LETTER IS ABOVE.

    JANUARY 24, 2009 CRIMINAL REPORT REGARDING SERIAL KILLER BOYDEN GRAY MONEY LAUNDERING VIA HOMELAND SECURITY MULTI MILLION DOLLAR PAYMENTS TO THREE JUDICIAL SELECTION ENTITIES FOR JONATHAN LIPPMAN NYS CHIEF JUSTICE NOMINATION AND SENATE APPROVAL VOTE, AS WELLAS HIS NEWBORN BABY AND CHILDREN INNOCENT BLOOD STALKING FRONTS. http://pages.google.com/edit/mirsny/SUBMITNYSPAYTOPLAYJONATHANLIPPMANNOM.pdf

    ReplyDelete